Rent Relief for Landlords & Tenants

Whether it’s a health-related event or a significant financial hardship, COVID-19 has affected all of us. As the nation continues to recover, the state of CA is committed to keeping families housed and recognizes that renters and landlords have enough to worry about. By implementing the COVID-19 rent relief program, the state wants to make sure that past due rent isn’t one of them.

The program will help income-eligible households pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments. Funding for this program comes from $2.6 billion in federal rental assistance.

How it Works

Unpaid rent

Landlords who participate in the CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program can get reimbursed for 80% of an eligible renter’s unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, if they agree to waive the remaining 20% of unpaid rent during that specific time period.

Eligible renters whose landlords choose not to participate in the program may apply on their own and receive 25% of unpaid rent between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021. Paying this 25% by June 30, 2021 can help keep you in your home under the extended eviction protections in SB 91.

Future Rent

Eligible renters can receive future rent assistance equal to 25% of their monthly rent. Combined with the assistance available for unpaid rent, future assistance will help renters stay housed once the eviction protections in SB 91 expire on June 30, 2021.

Utility Assistance

Eligible renters may also receive assistance for unpaid utilities and future payments. Unpaid utilities accumulated from April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2021 will be compensated at 100% of cost, limited to a total of 12 months.

Applications must include all required information, along with necessary verification items. Once an application has been successfully processed, both the landlord and renter will be notified about the application status.

The CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program is not on a first come, first served basis. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis. For all applications received, the state will first review and commit funds to applicants who are eligible and meet the priority requirement having income at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) to ensure those most in need receive assistance.

Not sure if you qualify? Take a look at the landlord checklist here.